Several new routes added by U S. carriers to Latin America between late 1997 and mid-1998 have performed poorly, with some load factors below 50%, according to DOT data. In the first nine months after their startup in September 1997, Continental's load factors from Newark to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo were 32% and 43%, respectively.
ICAO's Year 2000 coordination group, reasonably confident that Boeing and Airbus aircraft will be able to avoid Y2K computer problems, will meet Wednesday and Thursday in London on a big uncertainty and greater concern - preparedness of Russian-built aircraft, the airlines that operate them, and the Russian air traffic control system.
China Southern has agreed to have Mercury Air Group's Hermes Aviation Division become its exclusive cargo sales agent in the U.S. and Mexico. Last year, China Southern transported 344,000 tons of cargo, 24.7% of China's air cargo volume.
Viad Corp. subsidiary Dobbs International named George Alvord VP-marketing and sales and Gordon Anderson VP-operations on an interim basis following the death of President and Chief Executive Fred Martin.
Consumer uncertainty about Year 2000 issues could reduce passenger bookings severely and cost airlines tens of millions of dollars in revenue, even if everything works, according to a study by RMB Associates and The Boyd Group."If traffic is down only 10% for five days, that's $100 million in lost revenue," said co-author Michael Baiada.
TWA asked DOT for an exemption to integrate its certificate and exemption authority so it can take advantage of operational flexibility available through fifth-freedom rights negotiated by the U.S. The integration would include St. Louis-London, -Toronto and -Tokyo certificates and exemptions for New Orleans-Mexico City, St. Louis-Mexico City, New York-Bahamas, New York-Morocco-Ivory Coast in a Royal Air Maroc code share, New York-Puerto Plata/St.
Commerce Department will begin publishing data in mid-2000 that show for the first time the impact of online shopping on airline ticketing and other retail activity. DOC Secretary William Daley and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Robert Pitofsky noted, however, that 86% of Americans are concerned about threats to personal privacy. They urged businesses to "step up to the plate on this issue and regulate themselves."
DOT tentatively found Sun Jet International fit to resume charter combination services. FAA notified DOT that the carrier is close to receiving FAA authority to resume operations. The carrier will be required, under a DOT's policy of monitoring new carriers, to submit a detailed progress report after its first year of service. Sun Jet holds a certificate for the services, which it operated until June 18, 1997, when it ceased operations and sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Las Vegas-based startup carrier National Airlines, with its DOT show cause order in hand and its FAA operations certification in process, is ready to begin service in April, President, Chairman and Chief Executive Michael Conway said Friday. Conway, America West co-founder and former VP and controller at Continental, said National will take delivery of the first of its projected fleet of 40 757s this week. The airline has its vendors in place and has developed its own yield management system, which will make way for a more sophisticated system as the airline grows.
FAA - In Federal Register dated Jan. 29...Issued an airworthiness directive on certain Embraer EMB-145 aircraft concerning use of the autopilot below 1,500 feet...Issued an AD on Douglas DC-8 aircraft concerning pressurization anomalies...Superseded an AD on Allison AE 3007A engines concerning reprogramming the full authority digital engine control... -- In FR dated Feb. 1...Proposed to supersede an AD on Boeing 737-200C aircraft concerning inspections of the fuselage in the lower lobe cargo compartment.
Dick Gordon, longtime acting director of Flight Standards Services at FAA, is retiring at the end of this month. Gordon has been deputy director since the recent appointment of Nick Lacey as director. His departure leaves several senior officials at FAA, including Lacey, with no field experience.
Clinton administration's proposal to turn FAA into a performance-based organization and boost competition in the U.S. airway system, is scheduled to go to Capitol Hill today. The plan, outlined by DOT Secretary Rodney Slater in a Wings Club speech last week (DAILY, Feb. 4), already has drawn comments and concerns. Jeff Shane, former DOT assistant secretary for aviation policy and currently an attorney with Wilmer Cutler&Pickering, Washington, told The DAILY he is encouraged that Slater addressed matters critical to the near-term status of aviation.
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and Philippine Airlines (PAL), both weakened considerably by Asia's economic woes, have agreed to code share on regional routes, starting this month. Malaysia is one of several markets PAL abandoned last year. PAL's code will appear on 11 weekly MAS flights between Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching and the Philippine cities of Manila and Cebu. MAS said the accord is PAL's first with a foreign airline since it restarted operations after last year's labor troubles.
Ansett Australia will lease two Boeing 747-400s from Singapore Airlines this year, after expiration of the leases of two SIA-owned 747-300s the Australian carrier currently operates. The move reflects economic reasons and Ansett's desire to counter Qantas's new fleet refurbishment.
Despite reported progress in FAA-Air Line Pilots Association negotiations on land and hold short operations, ALPA plans a LAHSO leaflet campaign beginning Feb. 17 at Boston, Charlotte, Miami, Chicago O'Hare, Philadelphia and St. Louis. ALPA has set a deadline of Feb. 19 to reach an agreement with FAA or call for a LAHSO embargo.
