AirNet Systems said net earnings for the quarter ended June 30 rose to $3.5 million from a loss of $12.2 million the same quarter a year ago. Revenue was up to $23.1 million from $21 million. For the first six months, net income was $6.6 million, up from a $10.4 million loss, while revenues climbed to $45.3 million from $40.2 million.
SAS reported July traffic of 1.9 billion revenue passenger kilometers, up 5%. Freight ton kilometers rose 8% and the load factor was 71.2%. During the first seven months, passenger traffic increased 4% and cargo traffic 14%, and the load factor was 64.6%.
Brit Air, based in Morlaix, France, is operating daily scheduled flights this month between London Gatwick and Deauville in Normandy, using 48-seat ATR 42 aircraft. The service coincides with the Deauville races, and promotions include a #123 (US$195) Escapade fare. The flight temporarily replaces Brit Air's scheduled services to Le Havre with connections to Caen.
Tim Hannegan, assistant director for aviation issues at the General Accounting Office, will join GKMG Consulting Services Sept. 2 as a managing director. At GAO, he was responsible for airline industry analyses.
FAA is testing the functioning of software on air traffic controllers' radar displays at 200 U.S. facilities following an apparent software error that may have prevented an alert to the pilots of the Korean Air 747 that crashed last week in Guam, killing all aboard. The Guam accident took place during approach, and the agency is checking radar approach control facilities equipped with minimum safe altitude warning systems (MSAW), which provide the alphanumeric data on air traffic controllers' radar displays.
A third violation of advertising regulations in 12 months by Carnival Air Lines has led DOT to issue a consent order assessing $30,000 in civil penalties against the carrier. DOT requires Carnival to pay $15,000 within 15 days and will forgive the balance if there are no further violations for a year. Carnival's ads in The New York Times, The Washington Post and other newspapers failed to show prominently that the stated tariff was a one-way fare requiring roundtrip purchase, DOT said.
Southwest Airlines began serving Jackson, Miss., its 51st city, during the weekend. It offers nonstops to Houston Hobby, Baltimore/Washington, Orlando and Chicago Midway with fares that start at $39. The fares require a seven-day advance and roundtrip purchase.
New Aircraft Orders and Options April 1997 Last 12 Months Firm Orders Options Orders Options Carrier # Type # Type Engines Del. Dates # Type # Type Aeroflot 10 737-400 - CFM56-3 Apr98-Feb99 - - Air 2000* 1 757-200ER - RB211-535E4 Apr98- - - Air
Commerce Department, FAA and the American Association of Airport Executives have scheduled international workshops on aviation infrastructure and safety Aug. 24-27 in San Jose, Costa Rica, and Oct. 19-22 in Budapest, Hungary. The San Jose event, focusing on the Latin American market, also will be sponsored by the Costa Rica Civil Aviation Department, Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, American and United. Topics will include managing airports in the 21st century, airport privatization trends and enhancing air traffic safety.
Millon Air, still fighting for recertification as a fit carrier, signed a consent order fining it up to $80,000 for flying U.S.-Ecuador routes on which its authority had expired. DOT learned of the lapse during recertification efforts. Millon had authority for three weekly roundtrips between the U.S. and Quito or Guayaquil via intermediate points. One of them lapsed in February 1996, but Millon continued to fly it. Millon dropped its service entirely after its 707 crash in October that year.
Fine Air Services rescinded the stock offering it introduced to the market one day before the crash of one of its DC-8s in Miami (DAILY, July 8). Shares sold at a high of $17.13 and closed at $14.56. Fine President Barry Fine said the crash will not affect the company materially, since insurance will cover claims fully and Fine's remaining 14 DC-8s and one L-1011 can provide adequate service until a replacement aircraft is acquired.
Air France will retain the Air Inter brand for at least a year after mid- September, when the carriers are to scheduled to complete their merger. Although it will paint all its aircraft to show the Air France banner, the merged carrier will make a much slower transition from the Air Inter brand, acknowledging its marketing power.
United will charge $849 roundtrip for its new Chicago O'Hare-Sao Paulo service, including connecting service between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. It will begin the service Sept. 9 with 767-300 aircraft. Fares are $50 higher on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets must be purchased by Aug. 31 for travel Sept. 9-Dec. 11.
Air Line Pilots Association leadership at American Eagle has reached its second tentative contract agreement with the company, sweetening the one its membership rejected less than two weeks ago. In revising the document, ALPA said it questioned line pilots on the reasons for their objections, and it believes the new contract addresses their concerns - it has better wage increases for first officers, guaranteed annual pay raises, improved reserve system provisions and improved crew scheduling.
Electronic ticketing for travel on Delta is available to travel agents using the Worldspan or Sabre computer reservations system, and Delta said it is working on other changes to make ticketing more convenient for travel agents. "With interactive agent reporting now being developed by the industry, travel agents will enjoy the convenience of electronic reporting as well," said Lee Macenczak, VP-reservation sales and distribution planning. "There will be no need to produce paper reports." All CRSs should have electronic ticketing capability on Delta later this year.
FAA said Friday it has ordered $7.3 million worth of explosives detection equipment, including "at least 18 automated X-ray machines," from Vivid Technologies, Woburn, Mass., and EG&G Astrophysics, Long Beach, Calif. Deliveries of the baggage scanners are expected to start in October and be completed by February, the agency said.
Delta Express will begin operating two daily nonstops between Raleigh/Durham and Orlando Oct. 1. The 21-day advance fare is $99 one way, the seven-day $123 and the walkup $189.
Hawaiian Airlines earned $1.2 million in net second quarter profits, flat year-over-year excluding extraordinary items. But despite traffic and load factor gains, the carrier's yield fell, and it cited "a period of continued weakness in Hawaiian tourism." Revenue rose to $103.9 million from $96 million, but operating profit dropped to $2 million from $3.1 million. "We initiated a more aggressive pricing strategy designed to stimulate Hawaii travel demand, primarily in our long-haul markets," said Paul Casey, president and chief executive.
Orally approved an initial one-year exemption authorizing Tower Air to conduct scheduled foreign combination service between New York and Kiev...Orally approved an initial two-year exemption permitting US Airways to conduct scheduled foreign combination service between Philadelphia and Grand Cayman...Orally approved an initial two-year exemption for FedEx to conduct scheduled foreign cargo service between El Paso and Chihuahua in conjunction with existing U.S.-Mexico service, to include an Empire Airlines-operated Cessna C-208A Caravan under wet-lease...Orally approved
