FAA is monitoring the current situation in light of the recent arrest in Port Angeles, Wash., and is consulting with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to determine if any further changes in security are necessary. It said that since the arrest of an Algerian with bomb-making materials, it is "redoubling" efforts and asking industry to do the same.
Pro Air wants to provide more nonstop service to slot-restricted New York LaGuardia from its base at Detroit City Airport. The carrier, which operates one daily roundtrip in the market, wants six slots to add three daily roundtrips. DOT granted Pro Air two slots, which it uses for a roundtrip that it operates on a one-stop basis to Chicago Midway and Indianapolis; the carrier earlier had sought a total of eight slots (DAILY, Oct. 28, 1998).
Hawaiian Airlines, unable to obtain slots at Tokyo Narita Airport, wants a waiver from dormancy requirements for its planned Maui-Tokyo service. The carrier, which received U.S.-Japan rights and seven frequencies for service that was to begin Jan.
FAA yesterday released an air traffic control tape and transcript that indicate the crew of an American MD-82 was warned about heavy rain and wind gusts and that the Little Rock, Ark., airport was under a windshear alert before the aircraft overran the runway while attempting to land June 1, killing 11 people, including a pilot. There were 145 people aboard Flight 1420. "We are established inbound," the pilot said in his last communication to the tower. FAA declined comment on the tape or the accident, which is under investigation by the NTSB.
The Italian authorities' decision to postpone indefinitely the transfer of flights from Linate to Milan's new Malpensa Airport is aggravating Alitalia. The Italian flag carrier is considering seeking damages because the footdragging concerning Malpensa could undermine its alliance with Dutch carrier KLM. Alitalia is preparing legal action on "possible responsibilities regarding precise commitments made in the framework of the Malpensa project, which later did not live up to expectations," according to Alitalia.
Aerospace Industries Association supports a recommended decision by the administration to file an Article 84 complaint with ICAO against the European Union's non-addition rule. "If the rule were implemented, all hushkitted and certain re-engined aircraft that have not previously operated within the EU would be barred from operating in European Union member nations as of May 1, 2000," AIA said. Article 84 is a procedure for resolving disputes between ICAO members.
United canceled all flights to Caracas, Venezuela, through at lease Dec. 25 due to the recent devastation in the region from killer flooding and mudslides. American canceled its 11 flights to Caracas through Dec. 28, when the airline will "reassess the situation." United operates one daily roundtrip to Caracas from New York Kennedy and one daily from Miami. The government officially closed Simon Bolivar Airport to all commercial traffic through Dec. 25.
US Airways' Air Line Pilots Association unit Master Executive Council will vote tomorrow on a proposed amended letter of agreement to allow American Eagle to code share with the carrier on West Coast routes formerly flown by Trans States.US Airways has declined comment on whether American Eagle was its choice of carriers to replace Trans States.
Flight Options said customer flight operations will begin in January with Dassault Falcon 50 aircraft. The company anticipates integrating 15 of the aircraft into the existing fleet of Citation II, Beechjet 400A, Hawker 800A and Challenger 601 aircraft. It currently operates a fleet of more than 50 jets in its fractional ownership programs.
DeCrane Aircraft Holdings added another piece to its mini-conglomerate last week with the acquisition of The Infinity Partners, a manufacturer of corporate aircraft interiors and a major vendor to Bombardier. Infinity supplies interiors to Bombardier's Tucson, Ariz., completion center, including manufacturing and fitting cabinetry and installing contour panels on the Challenger 604 and Global Express aircraft. "We see Infinity as a perfect fit for our company," said Jack DeCrane, chief executive of DeCrane Aircraft.
Mexico's Civil Aeronautic Authority (DGAC) has stipulated a series of conditions before allowing Taesa to resume operations after being grounded Nov. 24 as a result of the crash of one of its DC-9s on Nov. 9, in which 19 people were killed. Sources report that an initial investigation by the DGAC found seven of the airline's aircraft "inoperable" and demanded that they be completely overhauled or permanently grounded.
National Air Transport Association told DOT that it supports efforts to cover aviation industry employees under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), but wants to avoid duplicating efforts with FAA.
Galileo International signed an agreement with a leading Latin American Internet company, Viajo.com, to launch Latin America's first full-service travel site in Spanish. Using Galileo Passport technology, Galileo International will replace Viajo.com's current technology platform with a full-service, customized and branded Spanish language travel reservations system. The companies said a unique feature of the new site is local currency fare quoting, providing travelers with simplified pricing and currency conversion for each segment of their trips.
Midway Airlines has ditched its plans for a merger, saying its board-appointed special committee was unable to reach a deal with two stockholders who wanted to merge Midway with their corporation. After reviewing the merger proposal, the committee told James Goodnight and John Sall that they would not recommend the merger. The investors opted to withdraw their proposal. Midway Chief Executive Robert Ferguson said the stockholders had offered $8 per share, which the committee considered inadequate. Midway will not look for a merger partner, he noted.
Attorneys for American Airlines asked a Texas appeals court yesterday to lift a stay that allows Legend Airlines to start service out of Dallas Love Field in February. The Fort Worth firm of Kelly, Hart&Hallman asked the court to lift the stay issued Nov. 2 until it issues a decision on its final appeal. American's attorneys and Legend also are awaiting a decision by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on whether DOT has the right to allow Legend to fly from Love Field.
Northwest yesterday inaugurated code-share service with KLM to Rome, Milan, Turin, Venice and Bologna, Italy. The flights are Northwest's first to Italy and are made possible by the recent U.S.-Italy open-skies accord. A Northwest flight code now appears on KLM's nonstop service between Amsterdam and the five Italian cities. The code-share service will complement daily nonstop service that Northwest will inaugurate April 2 in the Detroit-Rome and Detroit-Milan markets.
Lufthansa is scheduled to take delivery of its 25th Boeing 747-400 on Thursday. The airline plans a welcome party at Frankfurt Airport for the arrival Dec. 23. Lufthansa has operated 747s since 1970.
United Parcel Service filed applications for Austin-Monterrey, Mexico, rights. The carrier seeks an exemption to serve the route five times weekly starting Feb. 8. UPS separately requested certificate authority. (Dockets OST-99-6663, 6664)
American Eagle will introduce nonstop jet service Feb. 21 from Dallas/Fort Worth to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Milwaukee, Wis. American Eagle will offer four daily roundtrip DFW-Milwaukee and two DFW-Cedar Rapids roundtrips. All flights will be operated with new 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets.
Austrian Airlines Group - Austrian Airlines, Tyrolean and Lauda Air - reported a traffic growth of 5.4% for the January-November period. The company says it is likely to reach the targeted 8.2 million passenger mark for 1999. The load factor for the group rose 6.6 % to 66%.
ICAO Council President Assad Kotaite said yesterday the latest information from members shows a "very high level" of Y2K readiness. As of Dec. 20, member states representing 99.5% of international traffic reported that Air Traffic Control systems are ready or will be before Dec. 31. Airports and airlines representing 84% of aircraft movements and 85% of international passengers "similarly indicated their level of readiness for Y2K," he said, ensuring safety "will not be compromised."
Lufthansa unveiled a new travel agency commission structure for tickets purchased in the U.S., including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, effective Jan. 1. Tickets purchased in the U.S. will earn a 5% commission rate with a maximum payment of $100 for each roundtrip ticket and $50 for each one-way ticket. Online travel agencies will receive a 5% commission rate with a maximum of $5 for each one-way or $10 for each round-trip ticket.
Myanmar's department of civil aviation (DCA), emulating Philippine Airlines, asked Thai Airways to pay 12% of the total revenue generated on the Bangkok-Yangon route to Myanmar or reduce its capacity. Thai opted to reduce available weekly seats from 3,500 to 2,500, the same number offered by Myanmar Airways International (MAI). Thai and Myanmar aviation authorities had been at loggerheads since last month, when the latter made the order.
Air New Zealand filed jointly with United for U.S. antitrust immunity. "If granted, antitrust immunity will enable Air New Zealand and United to share information, allowing both carriers to offer consumers the benefit of their combined networks." The two airlines, both members of the Star Alliance, argue that the antitrust protection will enable them to "strengthen their alliance relationship."
The Venezuela government reported several airlines moved their service to an airport in the central city of Valencia from the main Simon Bolivar Airport outside Caracas, according to a report in El Nacional. The airport closed following drenching rains that have led to killer landslides and flooding. Officials said the tragedy is Venezuela's worst catastrophe this century. Local media reported that the radar system and the control tower at Bolivar Airport were heavily damaged in the storms.
