FAA has issued an emergency airworthiness directive on the engines that power Boeing's next-generation 737. The action was prompted by reports of three instances of uncommanded engine acceleration of the CFM International engines. The problem could lead to an "inflight engine shutdown," FAA said.
An FAA 727 successfully flew test flights last week, using signals from U.S. and European satellite navigation systems as part of an effort to develop a seamless system worldwide. The aircraft performed a series of Category I precision approaches to Keflavik Airport, Iceland, using onboard equipment receiving signals form FAA's National Satellite Test Bed, a forerunner to the Wide Area Augmentation System, and the U.K.'s Northern European Satellite Test Bed. An Iceland Civil Aviation Administration King Air and a U.K.
A District Court judge for the City of Fort Worth Friday upheld a ban on interstate flying from Love Field Airport, and Continental, which has planned Continental Express service from Love Field to Cleveland, said it will immediately appeal the decision. "While we expected this grossly unfair result from Fort Worth's local hometown court, we are nonetheless disappointed that the decision will delay our launch of...air service between Cleveland and Love Field," the carrier said in a statement.
Pilots at American have asked FAA to study airspace issues involving Dallas/Fort Worth Airport and Love Field stemming from expanding service at Love. But Southwest pilots say the skies over Dallas are safe and they see "no degradation of safety." Both pilot groups were responding to the City of Fort Worth suit against the City of Dallas, Legend Airlines and Continental Express over expanding the use of Love Field.
FAA - In Federal Register dated Oct. 9...Revised an airworthiness directive on Twin Commander series aircraft concerning the drag link bolt on the nose landing gear...Proposed an AD on Boeing 737 series aircraft requiring inspections for cracking of various areas of the forward pressure bulkhead...Proposed to revise an AD on Raytheon 1900 series aircraft concerning the airstair door handle...Proposed an AD on Twin Commander 680FL aircraft concerning flight in severe icing conditions.
Jet fuel costs for all U.S. airlines have dropped from 75.7 cents per gallon in January 1997 to 49.8 cents through July, a 34% decline, according to GRA Aviation Specialists. Levels fell to 44 cents this month, says BT Alex Brown. Using the 18.5 billion gallons consumed last year by U.S. carriers as a benchmark, even the small price improvement since July translates to $268 million in expense savings for August-October 1998.
Continental, replying to statements by Delta and United that its proposed U.S.-Romania service with Air France "is less preferable" because its Bucharest-Paris-U.S. schedule would require westbound passengers to spend a night in Paris, said "that is not all bad, however.
U.S. aviation negotiators are scheduled to meet with their Italian counterparts in Rome Nov. 9-11 to continue open-skies talks, and with Canadian officials in Ottawa Nov. 4-5 to discuss general liberalization issues and user charges, including overflight fees.
If DOT approves Canadian Airlines' request for an exemption from high-density slot rules at Chicago O'Hare it also should approve Air Canada's, United told DOT. "Both [Canadian carriers] have complied with FAA's slot allocation procedures" and, having been turned down by FAA, "each would be required to reduce Chicago-Canada service" this winter if its respective application is not granted, United said. Air Canada, United's Star alliance partner, asked DOT for four O'Hare slots in Docket OST-98-4536.
Aviation Week today unveiled aircraftbuyer.com, a real-time online service for advertising and locating private and commercial resale aircraft. Accessed on the web at www.aircraftbuyer.com, the service enables dealers and individual sellers to write their own ads, upload digitized photos and pay for their listings online. Buyers gain access to the resale listings, market news, broker/dealer directories and sponsor links.
Struggling Indonesian airlines Garuda and Merpati will cooperate more closely and may merge. The two have differing approaches to the current crisis in Asia, however. Garuda will draw down some international routes next week, including Paris service, while Merpati will expand from Bali to Hong Kong, Sydney and other international points.
DOT Secretary Rodney Slater said Friday he hopes Congress will act swiftly next year to send President Clinton an FAA reauthorization bill that will ensure continuation of crucial programs. Slater praised the budget agreement for fiscal 1999, which includes funding for key transportation programs. "This agreement reflects the President's goals of building a safe and efficient transportation system for the 21st century while continuing to balance the budget," Slater said.
Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific each debuted a new frequent flyer program, another indication of the marketing changes taking place within Asian airlines. For the first time, airlines across Asia, including SIA and Cathay last week, are allowing passengers in economy class to accrue frequent flyer points. Although most international carriers long ago included all classes of service in the loyalty programs, Asian carriers maintained frequent flyer programs for business travelers and the elite.
Raleigh/Durham-based Midway Airlines reported a 17.4% climb in traffic on 13.6% more capacity for September 1998, compared with the same month last year, which pushed the load factor up 1.9 percentage points to 58.2%. Midway reported 71.2 million revenue passenger miles and 122.3 million available seat miles. Passengers boarded increased 24.5% to 146,400. Year-to-date RPMs grew 14.9% on 10.4% more ASMs, compared with the first nine months last year, boosting the load factor 2.5 points. Passengers boarded grew 20.4%.
ICAO General Assembly this year lasted only two weeks instead of the usual two and a half, mainly due to U.S. efforts toward cost reform, according to David Traynham, FAA assistant administrator for policy, plans and international aviation. The assembly meets every three years.
Legend Airlines, which on Friday received its DOT show cause order tentatively finding it fit for service, on the same day was told by a Fort Worth judge it could not fly planned interstate service from Love Field. Legend's final 401 certificate should be issued within 30 days.
FAA has commissioned the 350th Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) three months ahead of schedule. ASOS monitors weather conditions at airports and reports the information to pilots, using a computer-generated voice. Besides sky conditions, visibility and precipitation, the most recent systems provide rain-intensity, snow, freezing-rain and fog/haze conditions. ASOS next summer will get automated lightning detection and reporting systems. The information is updated every minute.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) has vowed to put an airline competition bill through Congress within the next six months. Congress on Friday passed a continuing resolution until midnight tomorrow and is expected to vote on the omnibus appropriations bill, which includes funding provisions for DOT and FAA, before 5 p.m. Tuesday. Congress also is expected to reauthorize the Airport Improvement Program for six months.
DOT representatives late Thursday ended three days of "cordial" talks with Colombian civil aviation officials, according to a DOT spokesman. The two sides discussed liberalization of aviation markets and the benefits to both countries of opening their markets in the areas of trade, tourism, commercial links and to promote economic growth. They hope to meet again before yearend.
