Delta Chief Executive Leo Mullin believes the airline's buildup in Latin America will stimulate the region's economies by almost $600 million during the next three years.But the level could be higher if it weren't for restrictions "that thwart the development of a sound transportation network," he said this week in New Orleans.
Florida-based Gulfstream International flew 12.8 million revenue passenger miles last month, a 38.17% increase compared with November 1997. Gulfstream's parent, G-Air Holdings Corp., acquired Paradise Island Airways in August (DAILY, Aug. 13). Capacity climbed 36.5% to 23.4 million available seat miles, while the load factor edged up less than one percentage point to 54.7%. Boardings rose by nearly 51% to 74,555.
Frank Swoboda, Washington Post transportation writer, discusses DOT's proposed airline competition policy, airline alliances, airport economics and FAA reauthorization on this week's Aviation News Today, to be broadcast Sunday at 12:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Washington's NewsChannel 8.
Great Lakes Aviation has been ordered to continue providing essential air service at Fairmont, Minn., Norfolk, Neb., and Yankton, S.D., for an additional 30-day period through Jan. 22, 1999. The carrier has an application pending at DOT to continue to provide service, with subsidy under a new agreement, at the three points plus Devils Lake and Jamestown, N.D., and Brookings, S.D. (Dockets OST-1998-3843, -3704 and -3703)
British Aerospace Regional Aircraft this week delivered a Jetstream 41 aircraft to the Hong Kong Government Flying Service (GFS), the first to be delivered of two ordered in May 1997. The second aircraft will be delivered before month-end. The aircraft will be used in a maritime search-and-rescue role by the GFS. BAe adapted the J41s for their surveillance mission in association with FR Aviation, Bournemouth, England.
Cincinnati-based Comair Holdings Inc. has been placed on the 1999 Nasdaq-100 Index, Comair reported. At the time the company was selected for the index, it had a market capitalization of $2.1 billion. Comair made its initial public offering on the Nasdaq stock market in 1998. Comair Holdings Chairman David Mueller, expressing pleasure with the placement, said, "Our consistent growth over the years has been fueled by the support of our shareholders and employees."
Northwest Airlines wholly owned subsidiary Express Airlines I posted a 9% traffic decline last month to 25.9 million revenue passenger miles, compared with November 1997. Capacity fell 11.5% to 42.9 million available seat miles, allowing the load factor to increase 1.7 percentage points to 60.5%. Boardings were off 7.8% to 99.5 million. Express Airlines I, which is based in Memphis, attributed the capacity decline to removal of the 19-seat Jetstream 31 from its fleet in October 1998.
Amadeus will increase its prices to airlines 5.2% as of Jan. 1 and offer them a territorial pricing option in which cost varies for different parts of the world depending on origin of the booking. In a letter to airline subscribers explaining the price increase, Amadeus said it will focus on providing better tools based on the industry's requests to manage distribution. Many tools, such as Encoded Rules or Automatic Ticket Number Transmission, will remain free.
Robert Brown, who will become president and chief executive of Bombardier succeeding Laurent Beaudoin, joined the company in 1987 after a long career in government service. Brown, who assumes his new positions Feb. 1, is currently president and chief operating officer of Bombardier Aerospace (DAILY, Dec. 14).
The Association of Flight Attendants formally asked FAA to enact a standard limit on carry-on bags. Six months after FAA released a circular on carry-ons, consumers are more confused than ever and the only solution is a single rule that all airlines can follow, AFA said.
Federal Express and the Fedex Pilots Association were "very close" to a tentative contract agreement yesterday as the FPA board of directors and negotiators met late in the afternoon to consider the latest proposal. Under FPA procedures, negotiators tell the board that talks are complete and the board passes a resolution to accept an agreement, which then goes to the rank and file for ratification.
Northwest spent $9.4 million in the first three quarters of 1998 on Year 2000 computer fixes, bringing its total to $19.4 million so far. It expects to spend $55 million all told, and so far it believes 70% of its systems are Y2K compliant.
Appleton, Wis., United Express affiliate Air Wisconsin traffic surged 79.5% in November to 76.9 million revenue passenger miles as capacity climbed 48.6% to 116.1 million available seat miles. The load factor for Air Wisconsin, a BAe 146 jet and Dornier 328 turboprop operator, jumped 11.4 percentage points to 66.2% from 54.8%. Boardings were up 82.3% to 249,131. Nov. 1998 Nov. 1997 11 Mths 1998 11 Mths 1997 RPMs 76,885,000 42,834,000 789,402,000 557,055,000
...Embraer CEO Mauricio Botelho took one final shot at Canada this week, charging that in the "unlikely and unfortunate event that the WTO panel does find in favor of the Canadian claims, a clear message would be sent out. If you are an exporting company from a developing country, you cannot expect to be able to conduct your business on a fair and even playing field with competing companies from developed countries, regardless of the superior quality of your product or services." Certain provisions of the WTO rules are exempted in the case of developing countries.
Transport Canada has granted type certificates to Pratt&Whitney Canada's PW306A PW306B engines. The 306B, which develops a sea level takeoff thrust of 6,050 pounds, will power the Fairchild Dornier 328JET regional jet and the 306A will power Israel Aircraft Industries' Galaxy long-range business jet. The 34-seat 328JET regional jet and its corporate derivative, the Envoy3, are scheduled to be certificated and enter service in the first half of next year.
Rep. Jack Metcalf (R-Wash.), a member of the House Transportation aviation subcommittee and one of 10 House members who agreed voluntarily to limit their terms in the House, is going ahead with plans not to run for re-election in 2000. "We are retiring in 2000," a Metcalf aide confirmed. But Rep. J.C. Watts Jr. (R-Okla.), another aviation subcommittee member who agreed to limit his House career, apparently is having second thoughts. House Republicans voted last month to make Watts chairman of the House Republican Conference, the No.
European Commission probably will consider further the effects of imposing conditions on the already-established Star Alliance rather than issuing a ruling expeditiously, United believes. In hearings before the EC this week on proposals to cut alliance capacity in some markets of alliance members United, Lufthansa and SAS, the Europeans heard a unified front from the airlines, the Association of Star Alliance Pilots (DAILY, Dec. 17) and top airport officials from Chicago and Washington (DAILY, Dec. 15).
FAA issued a Notice to Airmen advising civil aircraft operators of hostilities in the airspace over Iraq and warning that they may spread to airspace over nearby nations and waters in the Arabian Peninsula, including the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. In the U.S., FAA said travelers at airports may notice increased security measures - more K-9 explosives detection teams and uniformed police will be on patrol, parking restrictions are being strictly enforced, and more FAA inspectors are active at U.S.
Bombardier is forecasting a need for 2,500 aircraft in the 80- to 110-seat jet segment - the niche of its proposed BRJ-X - over a 20-year delivery period, a Bombardier Aerospace executive said (DAILY, Sept. 9 and 11). Steve Ridolfi, VP-marketing and aircraft programs, commenting in a prepared statement, said, "The BRJ-X family of aircraft will be designed to have the lowest possible operating costs in terms of fuel, crew, maintenance and ownership." Bombardier is considering three powerplants for the proposed RJ - the CFM56-9, BR715 and PW6000.
London City Airport has taken delivery of new de-icing equipment. A US-built FMC LA1000 vehicle was purchased at a cost of 36,000 pounds - US$60,127 - and brings the airport's inventory of de-icing rigs to three (DAILY, Nov. 25). The airport, meanwhile, chalked up its highest passenger traffic level in November with 125,585 passengers - a record for the airport and an increase of 16% compared with one year ago.
World Trade Organization panels investigating illegal export subsidy allegations against each other by Brazil and Canada held their final hearings on Friday and Monday in Geneva and are scheduled to issue preliminary reports to the parties on Feb. 10 and the final reports to the parties March 5, following a possible additional meeting with the parties on Feb. 24. They will be circulated to all WTO member countries from March 8-12. Then an appeals process, based on issues of law and panel legal interpretations only, could take an additional 60 days...
Air France was preparing yesterday for potential fallout from a strike today against refueling companies at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, which could delay or force the cancellation of some regional flights. Air France spokesman Dean Breest said the walkouts would have "an extremely small impact," and no long-haul disruptions were expected. The work stoppage was expected to last just one day.
Carry-on baggage restricting templates at Chicago and Los Angeles have improved United's on-time departure rate at those cities. The templates have been in use since Nov. 1 at security checkpoints at United's Terminal 1 at Chicago O'Hare and since Nov. 16 at Terminals 7 and 8 at Los Angeles.
