Delta will announce today a major international expansion, mostly from its megahub in Atlanta.The airline will unveil four new routes, including three from Atlanta, but all to destinations it already serves.
In a bid to clear approval bottlenecks, revamp the private investment system and attract foreign investors, Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said he will create a separate ministry to expedite the screening process for project approvals in infrastructure sectors, including civil aviation. The Ministry for Infrastructure Development (MID), to be structured on similar models in Japan, the U.S. and South Korea, will serve as a "single-window" nodal agency for clearing projects involving energy production, ports, and road and rail construction.
FAA issued an emergency order requiring the deactivation of thrust reversers on Airbus A310 and A300-600 aircraft powered by Pratt&Whitney engines to "prevent inflight deployment." FAA said it was notified by French authorities (DGAC) that the thrust reverser of engine number one of an A300-600 had deployed during climb. FAA said a subsequent investigation revealed that the pressure regulator shut-off valve was defective.
AirNet Systems named William Sumser acting chief financial officer, replacing Eric Roy, who resigned his positions as executive VP, CFO and director Jan. 1.
US Airways Shuttle flight attendants last week ratified a contract that raises pay and benefits to the levels of flight attendants at the carrier's mainline operation. US Airways announced plans in March last year to merge Shuttle and mainline operations. Shuttle's flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), voted 132-2 in favor of the accord, which raises the pay of a first-year Shuttle flight attendant 32% and a sixth-year flight attendant 68%, according to AFA. Cabin crew will receive mainline hourly rates beginning today.
TWA's flight attendants union leaders are warning members to make sure they have a doctor's note if they are out sick. About 670 flight attendants represented by the International Association of Machinists staged a sick-out Christmas weekend, causing the company to cancel about 200 flights. A New York District Court judge granted a TWA petition last week for a restraining order against the job action, and a TWA contempt- of-court filing against IAM is scheduled for a hearing at the end of the month.
Air Line Pilots Association unit leaders at TWA support the flight attendants contract efforts but not the sick-out. In a recorded message to pilots, Master Executive Council Chairman Joe Chronic said "pressuring the company by targeting our customers seems misguided to me, and more to the point, this alleged action could have long-term negative implications for the company's marketing position, and therefore - the bottom line to me - our job security." The flight attendants, represented by the Machinists, have locked horns with the pilots before.
Boeing Commercial delivered a record 550 jetliners last year, "which sets the stage for even higher production in 1999," the company said. The 550th delivery was made on Dec. 29. Alan Mulally, president, said the company expects to deliver about 620 airplanes this year. "We are regaining the health and efficiency of our airplane production system," he said. During the holidays in 1997, Boeing needed as much as 13% of its work force each day to meet commitments to customers, Mulally told workers at the Seattle Delivery Center.
Thompson Coburn added Mary Nagelhout as a member in the utility practice area, Eileen Brown in commercial finance practice and David Schwartz in international practice.
Virgin Atlantic's most important interline connecting partner at London Heathrow Airport is Heathrow hub carrier and archrival British Airways, according to the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority. And considering the interline feed Virgin gets from U.K. regional points through British Midland, BA has "no particular advantage over Virgin in respect of access to connecting traffic at London," CAA said.
FAA ordered emergency inspections of the wiring in the center fuel tanks of Canadair Regional Jets to prevent possible electrical arcing and fuel tank explosion. FAA said it was notified by Transport Canada Aviation that an "unsafe condition may exist "on certain Bombardier CRJs. "TCA advises that two cases of chafing on the electrical wiring conduits of the right wing crossflow valve in the center fuel tank have been reported," FAA said.
Delta is disputing a study that shows unit costs on its 737-200 fleet have grown since Delta launched Delta Express two years ago. Delta said consultants Roberts, Roach&Associates relied on data from DOT Form 41 that do not separate out Delta mainline from Express operations. The study, an update of Scorecard: Airline Industry Cost Management, shows that costs for 737-200 aircraft have increased by one cent per available seat mile. Delta Express operates 37 of Delta's 54 737-200 aircraft, or 70% of the 737-200 fleet.
SimuFlite promoted Allison Blankenship to managing director-product management, James Jetton to director-sales, Melinda McGinty to director-client management and William Wilhelmi to director-marketing and business development.
Boullioun Aviation Services has placed four new 737s valued at $120 million with new customers. Three 737-400s originally leased to China Airlines of Taiwan are now placed with the Republic of China Air Force in Taiwan, Virgin Express in Brussels and Pro Air in Seattle. A 737-300 formerly operated by Virgin Express was placed with Romanian carrier Tarom.
