DOT extended from Nov. 10 to Dec. 9 the deadline for comments on whether rules on computer reservations systems should be changed. Deadline for replies slipped from Dec. 9 to Jan. 23, 1998.
Airbus and Fokker Aircraft Operating Costs Systemwide Aircraft Utilization Per Day Second Quarter 1997 A320-100/200 America West Northwest Number of Aircraft Operated 26 50 Total Fleet Operations Departures 133 198 Block Hours 343 538
The government of North Rhine Westphalia is selling its 50% stake in Dusseldorf Airport to German construction group Hochtief, according to a "preliminary agreement" initialed recently, a spokesman of the land's transport ministry confirmed Friday. "Negotiations continue, in particular between Hochtief and the city of Dusseldorf," which owns the remaining 50% of the airport. "The city and Hochtief must come to an operational agreement. As well, the city owns the land on which the airport is built," the spokesman said.
Boeing's decision to phase out some Douglas aircraft, due today, may stop production but will not tarnish Douglas's reputation for longevity. The MD-80, expected to get the ax, should remain flying 20 to 30 more years. "I expect them to hold their values and have long, productive lives well after I'm retired," said Fred Klein, president of GRA Aviation Specialists.
United used two Boeing 777s on the ground at Denver Airport as hotels during the blizzard that dumped 24 inches of snow last week. A group of senior citizens and some United crew members were offered rest quarters on the widebodies. Inside the terminal, 35 United staff took on the workload normally handled by 200 people.
Air Canada, buoyed by a resurgent domestic economy, posted record third quarter net and operating profits and reported an improving operating margin of 17.5%. The carrier had a record net profit of C$181 million (US$129 million). Operating income shot up 37% to C$284 million ($202 million). "Leisure travel is up, but more importantly for us, business travel is up," said Chief Executive Lamar Durrett.
Attorneys for the Boulder-based Objective Inc. will appeal a court decision that it pay Scheduled Airlines Traffic Offices (SATO) $1 in damages in a lawsuit over a highly specialized software program developed by Objective. The trial ended Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Alexandria when the jury rendered its verdict in favor of SATO.
LanChile will begin nonstop service to Orlando from Santiago Dec. 26, using 767-300ERs. The four weekly flights will be the only scheduled nonstop service between Orlando and South America by a South American carrier.
Europort Vatry began a U.S. marketing campaign last week, presenting itself at the Air Cargo Americas International Congress and Exhibition in Miami as the largest cargo complex in Europe and the continent's first all-cargo airport. Officials said the facility will operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and its landing fees for cargo will be 20% less than those at other European airports.
-- In Federal Register dated Oct. 24...Proposed an airworthiness directive on Pratt&Whitney Canada PW100 engines to require improved fuel manifold tubes. -- In FR dated Oct. 27...Issued an AD on Pilatus BN-2 aircraft requiring modification of the upper engine mounting brackets on the wing front spar...Revised a proposed AD on Boeing 757 aircraft concerning replacement of parts of the ram air turbine.
Air Transport Association SPEC 2000 Forum will be held Nov. 6-7 at the Long Beach Hilton Hotel in Long Beach, Calif. SPEC 2000 is a worldwide electronic supply network used by airlines to purchase aircraft parts and repair services. For further information, call 800-375-9286 or 202-626- 4039 or visit web site http://www.spc2000.com.
Birmingham, England-based Maersk Air said it will purchase three Canadair RJ Series 200LR aircraft and take 12 options, Bombardier announced. The manufacturer placed the value of the three firm orders at about C$89.5 million, or $US64 million. Deliveries are scheduled for the second quarter of 1998. The airline, a British Airways franchisee, did not name specific routes on which it would use the RJs. The aircraft are intended to replace BAC-111s and will fly in BA livery under the franchise agreement.
FAA agreed yesterday, at the urging of Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.), to bring in Mitre Corp. and work with the DOT Inspector General in an attempt to resolve a bitter dispute with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association that threatens to delay further the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) program. Wolf, chairman of the House Appropriations transportation subcommittee, wants FAA to report by Dec. 15 on progress in resolving cost, delay and human factors issues raised by the DOT IG and NATCA.
Boeing's $3 billion, 50-aircraft purchase agreement to deliver aircraft to the burgeoning China market, signed yesterday, represents a big boost for the 737 in the region. Boeing officials said privately that apart from China's overall commitment, the company is thrilled that 36 737s are included in the deal. Airbus Industrie sold 30 A320-family twinjets to China in May, gaining its first foothold for the narrowbody series.
United will offer nonstop weekend service between New York Kennedy and San Juan, Puerto Rico, Dec. 6-April 5 and add a weekend Boston-JFK flight timed to connect with it. The San Juan flight will depart New York at 8 a.m. each Saturday and Sunday and arrive at Louis Munoz Marin Airport at 12 :47 p.m. The return flight will depart San Juan at 2 p.m., arriving in New York at 4:56 p.m.
B/E Aerospace said it was selected by British Airways to supply main cabin seating for existing and new widebodies. The initial order is valued at $40 million for installing World Traveller coach seats on 777s and 747s
DOT issued Custom Air Transport a certificate for foreign combination charter service. The department made final its fitness determination and issued Custom an interstate charter certificate early this month. The carrier must notify DOT if it wants to use more than five cargo and two passenger aircraft, and demonstrate fitness before expanding. Custom plans Caribbean service under the name Tropic Aire (DAILY, Sept. 5). (Dockets OST-97-2255, 2256)
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Wednesday approved by voice vote legislation that would provide relief to carriers from certain provisions of the Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA). The legislation, H.R.2626, would enable carriers to hire and begin to train pilots while gathering background information required under PRIA. In addition, H.R.2626 permits non-scheduled operators to hire, train and allow pilots to fly passengers for a 90-day period while collecting the necessary records.
Atlantic Southeast Airlines' yield - revenue per revenue passenger mile - for the nine months ended Sept. 30 fell 3.3% to 41.2 cents, a sharper decline than the Delta Connection affiliate posted for the most recent quarter - down 2.9% to 40.5 cents (DAILY, Oct. 28). Revenues for the quarter rose 4.6%, which Senior VP Ronald Sapp said "was primarily due to an 8% increase in the third quarter traffic offset by a 2.9% decrease in third quarter yield.
Minneapolis-based Northwest Airlink affiliate Mesaba Airlines earned a net profit of $5.7 million, or 41 cents per share, in its fiscal second quarter ending Sept. 30, a 48.9% increase from the same 1996 period's $3.86 million, or 30 cents per share. Operating revenues soared 54.1% to $71.9 million. The airline said second-quarter results include new service with 69-passenger Avro RJ85 regional jets, of which five aircraft were placed into revenue service by Sept. 30. Mesaba also is taking over fellow Airlink affiliate Express I's Minneapolis hub flying.
Exec Express II, Inc., d/b/a Lone Star Airlines d/b/a Aspen Mountain Air (Lone Star) has agreed to settle charges by DOT's enforcement office that it operated more aircraft than authorized under its certificate. Without admitting or denying the charges, the carrier agreed to settle the matter to avoid litigation. The settlement calls for the airline to cease and desist from future violations and for a fine of $18,000 in compromise of potential civil penalties. Lone Star must pay $9,000 in three $1,000 installments.
Bombardier Regional Aircraft showed off the cabin mock-up of its new 70- seat CRJ-700 series to reporters Friday and it is clear that most problems with the 50-seat CRJ have been solved. The floor is lowered by an inch and frame size is reduced, allowing an extra inch at shoulder height frame to frame. New overhead bin design means passengers can remove overcoats after entering the aircraft. Windows have been raised 6.5 inches and passengers now may see outside. It is a long tube, however, and Bombardier will not offer a rear door for speedier turnarounds.
Mahalo Air President Mike Yocum has joined Aspen Mountain Air on a consulting basis in the maintenance area while his own Honolulu-based carrier continues to seek outside investors to help pull it out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It was unclear whether the post would become permanent (DAILY, Oct. 24).
