Delta named Christine Jilek director of its new relationship marketing division responsible for SkyMiles, credit card and partnerships programs. Jilek previously worked for a direct marketing company, where she managed Delta's account.
General aviation manufacturers' billings increased 60% to nearly $2 billion in the first six months of the year, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association reported. Shipments increased 16.5% to 586 units. Jet deliveries were up 50% to 142 aircraft and piston-engine aircraft shipments up 26.4% to 345 units, but turboprop shipments were off 27%.
The Belgian government has completed work on a draft law to do away with Sabena's monopoly rights in aviation agreements with countries outside the European Economic Area, which comprises the 15 European Union member states plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The initiative satisfies one of the conditions - removing Sabena's monopoly on third- freedom traffic rights - the European Commission imposed two years ago when it approved Sabena's alliance with Swissair, which currently owns 49% of the Belgian carrier.
Operating Operating Total Total Revenues Expenses Operating Operating Per Per Revenues Expenses Total Employee Employee (000) (000) Employees (000) (000) American Trans Air 185,236 179,950 4,447 41.65 40.47
France's Socialist government wants Aerospatiale to remain state- controlled but still hopes to persuade Dassault Aviation to merge with it, according to Defense Minister Alain Richard.
The Senate Appropriations Committee rebuked FAA for its approach to establishing overflight fees, faulting the agency for a "cavalier attitude" about complying with international law and bilateral agreements, according to a report accompanying the Transportation Appropriations bill.
Sun Pacific International gave DOT a significantly different account from that of Sunworld International of the events that led to cancellation of a spring-break charter flight from Kansas City March 8. Sunworld International flew a 727-200 to Kansas City for a flight to Mazatlan but pulled away without passengers, leaving behind what many parties termed a "near riot" at the terminal.
The strike by TAP Air Portugal pilots, which began Sunday, could bring down the airline unless an agreement is reached during a five-day truce that started yesterday, according to the Portuguese government. The carrier was forced to cancel approximately 10 medium-haul flights over the weekend as pilots refused to operate services not included in their work schedule at least 72 hours in advance.
The number of German passengers flying to North America jumped 28% to 3.6 million per year between 1991 and 1996, according to the latest data of the German federal statistical office. About 3.1 million Germans flew to the USA and 443,000 to Canada in 1996. Asian destinations came second with 2.7 million passengers, followed by Africa with 1.9 million. Passenger numbers on European routes amounted to 28.8 million, said the statistical office.
U.S. Major Carriers Productivity, In RPMs And ASMs Per Employee First Quarter 1997 Revenue Available Passenger Seat Miles Miles (000) (000) Alaska 2,342,188 3,581,749 America West 3,982,247 5,790,607 American 25,295,569 37,522,279
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority began operations Sunday at Washington National Airport's new 1-million-square-foot terminal, replacing an interim terminal built in 1989 and mostly replacing the original 1941 terminal. The $450 million facility, under construction since November 1993, includes the terminal itself, a two-level roadway, a light-rail connection plaza, an air traffic control tower and apron work.
El Al has created Loyal Traveler Club, a frequent flyer program that will debut this fall. The plan allows any two people over the age of 12 who live at the same address to accumulate bonus points, making it easier to upgrade or earn free tickets. Members have up to three years to gather points. The program is in addition to El Al's established programs, Frequent Traveler and Matmid Club.
One of Iberia's unions has expressed doubts about the Spanish carrier's alliance with American and British Airways. Comisiones Obreras considers the new partners "not very prone to dialogue," reported Spanish daily newspaper El Pais. Iberia Chairman Xabier de Irala plans to discuss the new accords with unions and the airline's management committee tomorrow in Madrid.
Japan Airlines requested renewal of its scheduled combination service between Sendai and Honolulu, noting that since its existing exemption was for less than 180 days, it needs the renewal by Sept. 5 or it will have to suspend the service. Established services can be continued by invoking the Administrative Procedures Act, which permits a carrier to operate a route while DOT considers its status. JAL's current, short-term exemption does not qualify for such treatment. The renewal request comes days before formal U.S.-Japan bilateral talks, scheduled Aug.
Delta objected to DOT's show cause order granting approval and antitrust immunity to the United-Air Canada alliance before the total withdrawal of entry and capacity restrictions between the U.S. and Canada, a limitation that applies only to Toronto. DOT conceded the issue is "troubling" but found the benefits justified tentative approval, although it has requested and is receiving additional information on United's participation in the Star Alliance. Delta said approval would be a serious mistake, giving United and Air Canada a competitive advantage over other U.S.
Continental pilots will begin informational picketing today at the airline's hub in Cleveland. The picketing, expected to last three days, follows similar action at airports in Newark, Honolulu and Guam. Members of the Independent Association of Continental Pilots will meet with employee groups and talk with local elected officials, reporters and travel agents. The IACP has set an Oct. 1 deadline for signing a new contract. Claiming Continental's pilots are paid 40% below the industry average, the union want parity with the six largest airlines.
America West will operate new seasonal service Oct. 26 through April 6, 1998, between Phoenix and Palm Springs, Calif., offering two daily nonstops in each direction with a 737 configured for eight first-class and 124 coach seats. Flights will be late morning and early evening Phoenix-Palm Springs and early morning and early afternoon Palm Springs-Phoenix.
American, responding to DOT's request for additional information on the proposed British Airways alliance, said it has discussed an American-BA affiliation with Canadian and Qantas, but most carriers with which it has relationships are not candidates to participate. Asked about its current partnerships, American said it had no plans to invite British Midland, South African Airways, Gulf Air or LOT Polish Airlines to participate in American-BA.
Standard&Poor's revised its ratings outlook on US Airways to "positive" from "developing." About $2.7 billion rated securities are outstanding. S&P said the outlook revision "reflects improving earnings and cash flow generation, restoring liquidity and minimizing downside risk." S&P said, however, that US Airways' industry-high cost structure and unresolved labor situation "remain significant concerns." S&P cited the carrier's $1.6 billion cash position as of June 30 as positive.
American Eagle pilots voted yesterday to reject a contract proposal their Air Line Pilots Association's Master Executive Council approved in June. The vote mirrors an American Airlines-Allied Pilots Association MEC approval and pilot rejection that led to a brief strike at the parent airline in February, but in the Eagle case there is no strike threat. In the Eagle count, 642 pilots opposed the agreement and 505 voted in favor.
Second quarter net earnings for Atlantic Southeast Airlines dropped 19.8% to $14.8 million from $18.4 million a year ago. The results include two charges, a $2.6 million pre-tax expense due to the early return of all BAe- 146 aircraft to the lessor and a $3.1 million charge for canceling the company's Stock Appreciation Rights Program. Quarterly revenues dropped 4.4% to $99.6 million, and expenses climbed 4% to $78.4 million. ASA's yield fell 5.6% to 40.4 cents from 42.8 cents, while traffic and capacity rose an identical 1.6%. The load factor was flat at 52.4%.
State-controlled Cyprus Airways lost 5.2 million Cypriot pounds (US$10.4 million) in 1996, said its chairman, Takis Kyriakides, last week in Nicosia. He stressed that increased competition is forcing the airline to cut costs. Despite the warning, the airline said it will give away 5,000 free tickets to mark its 50th anniversary celebrations.
U.S. Major Carriers Productivity, In Revenues and Expenses Per Employee First Quarter 1997 In Dollars Total Total Operating Operating Revenues Expenses (000) (000) Alaska 314,255 315,691 America West 465,006 431,543
Royal Jordanian has resumed service to Kuwait and increased flights to Tunis and Casablanca. The carrier will offer twice-weekly Amman-Kuwait service using an Airbus A320. It will operate an A310 to Tunis and on to Casablanca on Thursdays, doubling its frequency.
Travelers born between Aug. 31, 1972, and July 28, 1979, can fly ValuJet standby for a $35 one-way "X-Fare" to any of the carrier's 24 markets until Aug. 30. Customers must present a government-issued photo identification and arrive at the ticket counter at least one hour before scheduled departure. Standby processing begins at the gate and ends 30 minutes before scheduled departure. X-Fare tickets cannot be reserved, and no Sunday travel is permitted. Nonstop travel is available only to or from Atlanta.
