Airbus Industrie yesterday confirmed reports in Europe that an unidentified customer has ordered 57 of its A320 family of aircraft. Airbus said that while the delivery order and numbers are expected out tomorrow, the buyer has requested not to be identified. Before this latest order - for 30 A318s, 15 A319s, two A320s and 10 A321s - Airbus had sold 93 aircraft this year. There has been speculation that the buyer will be announced at the June 13-20 Paris Air Show.
Cathay Pacific is canceling flights and has stopped taking near-term bookings as unrest among its pilots escalates. More than 30% of flights were canceled in recent days and more are expected this week. Pilots voted yesterday to consider a strike motion if the airline carries through with a threat to terminate anyone not accepting a new salary structure by June 11. The airline and its pilots union are trying to come to an agreement after Cathay proposed cutting pilot wages.
DOT granted Continental a new certificate to serve the U.S.-Romania market with scheduled combination service under code share with third country carriers beginning Nov. 1. The carrier plans to serve Bucharest via Paris with Air France and via Prague with Czech Airlines (CSA). Continental was selected for the Nov. 1 opportunity under the same order in which DOT selected Delta, Northwest and United for service beginning April 1.
DOT awarded to United for an indefinite period two weekly U.S.-Philippines frequencies to provide scheduled all-cargo service between Los Angeles and Anchorage and Manila, via Osaka, Japan. The dormancy period begins July 1 for one frequency and Sept. 7 for the other - the dates when United plans to begin the service, using DC-10-30 aircraft. The carrier, which operates three weekly U.S.-Philippines cargo roundtrips, told DOT it will operate the new service on the same schedule.
North American Airlines took delivery of a 757. The carrier, established in 1989 by former Civil Aeronautics Board Chairman Dan McKinnon, operates two 757s and two 737-800s on worldwide charters and U.S. feeder service for El Al.
The Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has told private carrier Air Philippines (AP) to start its international flights by Dec. 30 or forfeit the rights. Last week, AP President and Chief Executive Sherwin Gatchalian told the CAB that it will not be able to start international services today, as planned, because it has not been able to acquire the necessary aircraft. AP is looking to lease four Boeing 747-200/300s on the open market.
Summary of U.S. Major Carriers International Traffic December 1998 Revenue Average Revenue Passengers Length of Passenger Enplaned % Travel Miles % (000) Change (miles) (000) Change Alaska 89 29.45 1,158 102,523 30.82
As part of its restructuring plans, Japan Air System (JAS) will reduce the number of board members to 10 from the current 28. It also will freeze pilot hiring through March 31, 2000. A JAS official said reducing the size of its board will speed up making decisions. "In the past, decisions, including that on operational matters, were held up due to too many board members wanting to have a say. Bureaucracy will be a thing of the past," the official added.
US Airways yesterday announced increases in pay, benefits and job protections for 9,500 passenger service employees affected by a court decision invalidating their vote for union representation. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a unanimous decision invalidating the certification of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) as representing the employees. The court said the National Mediation Board violated the carrier's right to communicate with employees during the certification vote.
Dallas/Fort Worth Airport and Airservices Australia yesterday received the 1999 Eagle Award from airlines attending IATA's annual general meeting in Rio de Janeiro. DFW was cited as an airport responsive to airlines' needs and one that views the airlines as business partners. At the same time, DFW has continued building new capacity to accommodate the traffic growth.
Transwede Airways, which now operates as a Swedish domestic carrier, did not file to renew its U.S. authority. DOT noted in its order terminating the rights of foreign carriers that did not file family support plans (DAILY, June 1) that Transwede "currently has no homeland authority to serve the United States." The carrier allowed its U.S. foreign air carrier permit to expire on March 15.
Sun Country Airlines launched commercial service from Minneapolis/St. Paul yesterday, challenging Northwest in its leading business markets. Sun Country Airlines launched commercial service from Minneapolis/St. Paul yesterday, challenging Northwest in its leading business markets. The 16-year-old charter airline added competition five days after National Airlines began commercial service from Las Vegas to Los Angeles and Chicago.
The U.S. added Greece, Portugal, Singapore and Uruguay to the Visa Waiver Pilot Program, which allows tourists to visit the U.S. without obtaining visas. The decision was made recently by the Justice Department in cooperation with the State Department. New participants were chosen partly because of the low refusal rate for residents of those countries who applied for U.S. tourist visas. The countries have agreed not to require visas for Americans entering their countries. Tourists must limit their stay to 90 days, have a valid passport and roundtrip plane ticket.
Creditors of grounded carrier AeroPeru yesterday were expected to approve a plan by Continental Airlines to reorganize the Peruvian carrier and allow it to return to the air, according to Bob Booth, president of Latin American consultancy Aviation Management Services. Continental could end up with 49% of AeroPeru's equity in return for a cash injection, aircraft, other services and an 80% reduction in AeroPeru's debt. Reports from Lima peg Continental's infusion at between $30 million and $45 million, which could give it 70% equity.
World Fuel Services Corp. reported net income of $3.5 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, compared with net income of $3.8 million in the same previous quarter. Revenue for the quarter totaled $183 million, down from $200.8 million. For the year, net income was $15.1 million, down from $15.9 million. Revenue fell to $744.2 million from $801.8 million.
Aer Lingus wants DOT to waive wet-lease disclosure requirements becoming effective July 13 for its wet-lease service that continues through Oct. 31. "Revising operating procedures and computer programs" for this wet-lease would "impose an undue burden and expense" on it, the carrier said. DOT's new rules require that carriers disclose to consumers, in schedules, oral and written notices and advertising, the corporate identity of the wet-
Summary of U.S. Major Carriers Domestic Traffic December 1998 Revenue Average Revenue Passengers Length of Passenger Enplaned % Travel Miles % (000) Change (Miles) (000) Change Alaska 1,025 2.83 846 867,817 4.51 America West 1,397 (1.89) 931 1,300,618 4.33
DOT granted East Line Airlines an initial one-year exemption to operate foreign charter combination service between the Russian Federation and the U.S., and other charters.
BAA Plc is talking to a number of airports around the world in a bid to expand its international operations, but it is not prepared to reveal details at this stage, according to Chief Executive John Egan, who announced the group's financial results for the year ended March 31. Operating profit for the period was up 15.5% to #605 million and profit before tax rose 7.5% to #516 million. U.K. traffic increased 7.6% to 112.5 million passengers.
FAA and the union responsible for maintaining the U.S. air traffic control system are in contract negotiations with the help of a mediator after failing to agree on a pay raise. "We believe that we are far apart in light of the fairly substantial 13% nationwide pay raise that was negotiated for air traffic controllers," said Mike Fanfalone, president of Professional Airways System Specialists (PASS). Asked how much of an increase PASS is asking, Fanfalone said that "the zero percent that FAA is offering for half of our technical workers is not acceptable.
FAA said yesterday it plans to fine Spirit Airlines $86,000 for allegedly failing to conduct an inspection on a DC-9 within the time prescribed by an airworthiness directive. Spirit, based in Detroit, has 30 days to respond.
IATA Director General Pierre Jeanniot told IATA's annual general meeting yesterday in Rio de Janeiro that "we must deplore the totally preventable ATC crisis" that we face in Europe.
Many airlines have focused too strongly on web sites for cargo bookings, according to Julian Keeling, president of Consolidators International. He questioned booking on the Internet, "when you go to actually pick up the freight and it is not there because the airline could not carry it at the last minute and a cargo representative never bothered to tell you about that minor problem."
