Mesa Air Group, which lost money in the last eight consecutive quarters, was profitable in October and its cash situation will continue to improve, according to Merrill Lynch. Driving the improvement is Mesa's profitable operation of 18 regional jets, six of them for America West and 12 for US Airways.
China's Zhejiang Province selected a local farmer to operate two weekly roundtrips between Quzhou and Guangzhou under a one-year contract. Chen Tianming decided to get involved in aviation when he saw increasing numbers of business travelers going to Guangzhou, according to the Chinese government.
Qantas has been the "standout" Asia/Pacific airline during the past 12 months, says Salomon Smith Barney, despite turmoil in nearly every neighboring market. Net profit for fiscal 1998 grew 17% and the carrier reduced costs A$2.7 billion. More cost cuts are expected in 1999.
Pilots at Trans States Airlines, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), asked the National Mediation Board (NMB) to mediate after five months of unsuccessful contract negotiations. TSA employs 600 pilots, and the union said it has had trouble reaching an acceptable agreement on, among other things, pay rates to fly the company's new regional jets. TSA began feeder service for United in May and for Delta on Nov. 1 using Embraer 145 RJs. Pilots in July rejected by 88.9% a pay proposal covering the new equipment.
Honeywell/Racal team's Aero-I satellite communications system has been granted a supplemental type certificate from FAA for the next-generation 737-800, its first airliner certification. The aircraft are operated by launch customers Royal Air Maroc and Hainan Airlines. They will operate via ground stations of the Satellite Aircom Consortium, which have been upgraded to provide worldwide coverage for Aero-I service.
Tex Tech Industries says it was "surprised to hear" that some aircraft insulating materials do not meet smoke and toxicity standards. The North Monmouth, Maine, company said it has been "selling materials that do this for years." Its Aerolite is used widely in business and regional aircraft.
Carol Carmody, U.S. representative to ICAO, will address the Aero Club of Washington monthly luncheon meeting tomorrow at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington. For reservations, call 703-327-7082.
Federal Express and its Fedex Pilots Association (FPA) will resume contract talks today after the union agreed last week it would not strike during the holidays or go forward with its planned Dec. 3 strike vote count while the two sides try to settle their labor dispute. FPA said it will take no self-help action during the next 60 days. A FedEx spokeswoman declined to say where the talks are being held or whether the National Mediation Board is involved, but FPA has agreed to submit a new contract proposal in writing, which the company will consider. She said the Oct.
DOT - Approved an initial one-year exemption for Morningstar Air Express to operate foreign charter all-cargo services between Canada and the U.S. and other charters to and from the U.S...Approved a Curragh Bloodstock Agency charter using an Aer Turas Teoranta DC-8-63F for a one-way flight carrying 45 horses on a Louisville-London Luton-Dublin routing Nov. 10...Approved a Panalpina/Air Sea Broker charter using a Taesa DC-10-30 for 104 roundtrips carrying general cargo on a Miami-Guadalajara-Mexico City-Miami routing Nov. 12, 1998-Nov.
Air New Zealand (ANZ) has set up a new area office in Singapore, a merger of its Southeast and North Asia offices following a restructuring of its operations. The change makes Singapore a regional hub for ANZ's operations in Asia. The office will be headed by Gerard Gilmore, appointed to the new position of manager-Asia, who will oversee operations in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. Effective tomorrow, ANZ will increase service from Singapore to Auckland, currently daily, to nine flights per week.
Author David Gidmark has chartered an Air France Corcorde and is selling tickets to the public for $895 for a one hour, 45 minute flight Dec. 1 from New York Kennedy over the Atlantic and back to JFK. Gidmark is paying $65,000 an hour for the plane, using the event to promote his book, Speak to Me In Indian. Proceeds from the flight and book will benefit the Salvation Army.
Lucas Aerospace will supply cargo system power drive units to Delta for future 767 and 777 aircraft. Delta will be the first customer for Lucas's new three-inch PDU, which provides lower-deck commonality on 777s and 767s and, with minor modifications, on 747s, A330s and A340s, Lucas said.
America West will launch nonstop service Feb. 1 between Phoenix and Monterey, Calif., offering four daily America West Express flights using 50-seat Canadair regional jets.
British Airways is taking a novel approach in its attempts to steer people to book flights via the Internet. BA is offering a $30 voucher for duty-free purchases to anyone booking U.S.-originating flights from any web site through Dec. 18.
Continental said Friday it ordered 10 767-200ER aircraft, completing its widebody fleet plan. The aircraft will have the same updated interior as the 26 767-400ERs the carrier already has ordered, and the same common type rating as Continental's 757s. Deliveries of the newly ordered aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2000. "The 767-200ER allows Continental to complete its fleet plan in 2005 with the same number of widebody seats as at the end of this year," said Gordon Bethune, chairman. They will replace 747s and DC-10s the carrier intends to retire, he said.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers named Paul MacCready, chairman of AeroVironment, the recipient of its Ralph Coats Roe Medal, recognizing outstanding contribution toward a better public understanding of the engineer's worth to contemporary society.
Continental asked DOT to grant it the Houston-Sao Paulo authority that it requested in the U.S.-Brazil combination service proceeding, subject to "an extended dormancy period of 18 months" rather that the standard 90 days. The proceeding, which involves the four U.S. carriers designated to serve Brazil - Continental, American, Delta and United - was instituted in May to allocate seven frequencies that became available Oct. 1 (DAILY, May 21).
DOT still has not announced its policy toward terrestrial navigation systems, trailing Congress and the appropriations process.The Coast Guard and FAA are actively spending money to upgrade Loran, which DOT has planned to phase out, while Congress is limiting the amount the agency can spend on programs involving the space-based Global Positioning System. Still to come: What the Federal Radionavigation Plan for 1998, already late, will say about keeping terrestrial programs alive.
Korean Air has launched a program that gives instant upgrades to business travelers and offers travel agents commissions as high as 25% for bookings. The Prestige Plus program is free and requires no coupons or certificates. Once signed up, members who purchase a full-fare economy-class ticket will be upgraded to business class if a seat is available, and those buying full-fare business class will fly first class.
